Movers and Shakers

Jomarie Zeleznik, MD, FACP

BOOMER, PRESIDENT, SECRETARY. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CREATIVE EDITOR, WEBMASTER


At Loyola Stritch School of Medicine who did her required humanities project as a modern dance performance. Fully informed about the broken senior care industrial complex Draws endless inspiration from years of caring for Mary at home. Writes as: Thyme N. Haff

Mary Ellen DeVito, MSW

BOOMER, VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER, TECHNICAL EDITOR


A graduate of the Columbia School of Social Work whose work experience includes counseling battered women in Alaska, Lighthouse for the Blind, and 9-11 trauma debriefing. A serial live-in caregiver for both her parents whose skills are still sought out by neighbors. Writes as: Menna

Mark Kaplan

BOOMER, BOARD MEMBER, REFLECTIONS ADVISOR


Semi-retired native of Kansas who has done fine art photography, videography and sound recording. A caregiver for his mother and mother-in law.

Mickey Hoelscher

GEN-X, BOARD MEMBER, PHOTOGRAPHER, VIDEOGRAPHER


Started his home care career as a home health aide in the family business in Utah and later did marketing and management in NYC. Holds a degree in photography. Moved home to help his sister care for Dad.

Creative Contributors

Sherry Day

Gen X


World citizen, air force veteran, serial professional caregiver. Founding photographer of Reflections. Writes as: Sherry Day.

Krzysztof Aniolczyk

Gen X


20th century immigrant. Claims to have experienced deja vu when introduced to The CareGivers' Project. Photographer.

Nikki Helvey

Gen X


World citizen, serial professional caregiver who finds her training in child development relevant to the care of the old. Writes as: Nikki.

Harold Cole

Boomer


Bronx native. Photographer who aspires to digitally preserve life’s fleeting precious moments and beauty. Asked to join The CareGivers' Project at his mother-in-law's 98th birthday party.

Teresa Perez-Ceccon

Gen X


Queens native and internationally known dance teacher of Simonson Technique. Founding choreographer of In Time & Space. A two parent caregiver

Rochelle Rice

Boomer


Professional dancer and fitness instructor who is a certified and accredited speaker. Hospice caregiver. A founding dancer of In Time & Space

V.S. Kemanis

Boomer


An attorney, novelist, and sandwich generation caregiver. Founding dancer of In Time & Space

Michael E. Berry

Boomer


Co-founder of The CareGivers' Project. Professional experience in nursing, ministry and the health insurance industry. Writes as: Mendon T. Cry.

Peter Jungkunst

Boomer


Practicing Buddhist who sees the awakenings in being a caregiver. Writes as: Stoneman.

Kindra Ferribough

Gen X


Professional writer, serial professional caregiver.

Donna Jacobson-Silverman

Boomer


Creative copy writer and market strategist in the real estate industry. A nursing home advocate with informed intent and a wickedly honest pen. Writes as Donna Jacobson.

Founders

Immediately after reading "Letting Go of My Father" by Jonathan Rauch published in The Atlantic Monthly in April 2010, The CareGivers' Project was brought to life on the back of an envelope at the New Leaf restaurant in Manhattan by a geriatrician and social worker who were, for different reasons, both cohabiting with their mother. With relationship memory preserved, both of these octogenarians could still set curfews on their grown daughters. The CareGivers' Project was incorporated in 2012 by the creative spare time synergy of Mary Ellen DeVito, Michael E. Berry and Jomarie Zeleznik all of whom drew inspiration from caring for parents.

It's all about relationships